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For those who like ice in their scotch while they watch hockey or basketball life has gotten better at Madison Square Garden as a result of the arena's nearly completed $980 million, multi-year renovation.

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils makes the stop as Ruslan Fedotenko #19 of the New York Rangers looks for the rebound at Madison Square Garden (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Unfortunately, the New York Rangers still must play on terrible ice. I've watched almost every home playoff game this year and am amazed at the shoddy conditions of the Garden's ice and the impact it has had on the games--constantly skipping and rolling pucks, errant passes, players losing their balance. New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, whose team is currently tied with the Rangers at one game a piece in the Eastern Conference Finals, has complained about the Garden's ice.

It's embarrassing for parent company Madison Square Garden Company, the NHL and even broadcaster NBC Sports, whose otherwise superb announcers appear fearful of pointing out the choppy ice at the Garden.

The problems with the Garden's ice go back decades. Twenty years ago the excuse was MSG had to replace the ice in the building several times during the year. What's the excuse after throwing $1 billion into the building? Other teams have spent far less to get much better ice conditions.

The fact that MSG is also home to the New York Knicks is not a valid excuse. The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks also play in arenas that are occupied by NBA teams. Yet both NHL teams are ranked in the top 10 of the league's 30 teams with the best ice.